*Official* Alienware Launch Discussion Thread

Which Alienware are you wanting to compare the GT70 to? the biggest difference between the AW 17 and the GT70 is build quality of AW should be stellar compared to MSI. The AW 17 also supports HDMI in and out (I think they are the only brand to have HDMI in). You wont notice the difference between a regular SSD and MSI's super raid unless you plan on moving a whole bunch of huge files constantly.

The Aleinware 18 is much different. Two gpu's in SLI will give you much more performance than any single gpu system (if your comparing the same gpu's,but most agree 2 GTX 770m's are better than one GTX 780m). So 2 GTX 780m's is the best you can get in this generation.

Both Systems offer AW/Dells stellar support and replacement coverage

Lastly where did you get the $1000 of number? when I tried making similar spec MSI and AW 17 systems (with the same GPU) they are always only like $200 to $400 cheaper. Not enough for me to get something of such less build quality. But thats my opinion. I'm sure MSI owners will tell you their builds are great

 

How are people getting 4 year warranties? I swear in the uk there was only the option for 3 year (unless its an extension of the 1 year you get by default?)

 

It depends on your region, if it shows 3 years then that's the maximum for yours.

 

If you call in, you can get longer than 3 yrs......I had 4yrs with this machine....(see signature)

 

So Dell just called and I have to redo my order. Well that makes it now a full month wait for me..

 

Why have you got to re-do it?

 

Sorry to hear ti man. I though there might be something wrong with the order when it was hanging on pre-production for so long

 

Yup it appears to be the case.

 

Questions regarding Alienware 17 for anyone who might know (I see there are some Dell/AW reps in here):

Is the TruLife 120hz screen matte, semi-matte or glossy?

Does the 120hz screen affect the hdmi input, meaning will a 60hz device like an Xbox360 or PS3 still work?

Is the hard drive user accessible? I've seen photos of the bottom of the chassis, and I don't see any breaks.

Sorry for noob questions, I have never owned an Alienware before. Thanks in advance for any answers.

 

See: Dell TrueLife™ LCD Screens - What is it? for details. Basically a halfway house, glossy with anti-reflection technology. I wait to see actual users responses!

Good question re the HDMI input, Luis?

If it is like my R4 it is the easiest laptop I have ever owned to open up. Two screws under the battery and you're at the HD,s fans, CPU, GPU, and one bank of RAM.

HTH

 

Do the new range support wireless HD ??

Is this panel the IPS/PLS one >> 391-BBDS 18.4 inch (467.36 mm) WLED FHD (1080p) TrueLife 400 Nit Display (1920 X 1080)

 

The hard drives are very accessible and the screen is semi-matte (more info on micky's link)

As for the 120Hz, very good question I had to go try it myself.

Before you connect the PS3 or Xbox, right-click on your desktop and select: Screen Resolution --> Advanced Settings --> Monitor, switch it to 60hz and you're good to go.

They do support Wireless HD.

That is the PLS panel, the only one we offer for the AW 18.

 

Hey Luis, can I use IGPU with the 3d screen? I dont think that was available last generation.

 

You can't, it doesn't support 120Hz

 

Damn, was looking to buy a 3D one but the battery is gonna suck so probably not gonna get it.

 

Luis you not offering the Wireless HD config option yet ?

 

Does depend on your needs and how well all the new power saving components work. I easily get 2.5 to 3 hours which is fine for me but 5 hours plus is more the norm these days...

@Lius, thanks for testing the 120hz display over HDMI - great info

 

I just played Far cry 3 and Skyrim in the AW 18 and really tried to give it a hard time with key combinations. So far so good, no ghosting problem whatsoever.

If you'd like me to try any specific key combos on a specific game let me know and I'll see what I can do.

 

Would be great to get a GPU-Z screenshot and maybe a FRAPS screenshot and settings for FC3 and Skyrim. This would please alot of people in here definately Keep up the good work your doing great to see forum support even before the items have shipped! REP+

 

More good news for the RPG'ers and those Vulcan death grip commands

 

Yeah about that.. I can't post any pictures of gaming fps or benchmarks. But I can tell new owner's are going to be very happy when they get their new lappys

 

Alienware Australia being true to there form, still refusing to sell new models except x51. I am getting depressed now.

Australia also had the nameplate option but personally I always just ordered a standard one, I did tried to get blank one and was told that is not possible.

The way I see it, dell is doing this to stop third party resellers buying base models and selling them at higher price with upgraded CPU/gpu.

 

Luis do the new machines have the slot ready for the SiBEAM WiHD card to be plugged in ready? Is this a config option at a later date. Will the parts fit the new models?

5HT44 WiHD Card (DMC/SiBeam)
39PKF Sibeam Antenna Module (Includes Antenna)

 

I only have one question, which can make me cancel my m18xr2 to get new 18. Can we use second msata ssd in wihd slot?

 

Did not know that (AU). I liked the 'custom built for xxxxx' and AW typface, sure it was never seen but when someone asks to examine it, there it is . Resellers will probably just remove them, who's going to notice?

 

Not yet, I'll keep you in the loop as I have some questions of my own on this subject (i.e. which panels will include antennas, etc..)

Even though it wouldn't be supported I guess it should work. I've only torn down an AW 14 so far and I recall having both an msata slot and a WiHD slot (just a few screws away after the bottom cover). I'm not sure I'd be able to confirm the functionality but I''ll give it a shot tomorrow.

 

Wow just wow. I called to check and they said there was a note that "my order HAS TO BE canceled"...no reason given at all. I'm like "why didnt they call me"..."I dont know sir". So I have to cancel mine and order a different one seeing as they have to 512 mSATA + 750GB.

Insane.

 

Thanks so much for the info, guys. One last thing, Luis: can you confirm that hdmi audio from a PS3/360 will output through the Alienware 17's speakers and headphone jack?

 

Yours was cancelled as well!?

 

If we can manage dual msata in 17/18 it would be awesome. I remember threads about this but don't think anyone has actually tried it yet. I personally would love 2x256gb msata ssd's in 18 and 3x 1tb for storage.

 

Like I said, when I called they said there was a note saying to cancel my order. Why? Who the hell knows? Trying to get a good discount on one now.

 

BREAKING NEWS

A senior manager told me any orders that revived discounts are being canceled and will have to be order without the discount. Sales associates can give $50-100 off but any "managers" you spoke to that gave you more than that should not have and your order will have to be reordered.

 

OMG NOOOOOO! I don't know if my sales associate spoke with his manager to get the discount on my order or if he used a coupon. I'm so scared right now.

 

Just WOW! That is outrageous if correct. Have they not already entered into a contract with you that they are obliged to honour? - any legal eagles out there?

 

They are allowed to cancel at any time per your agreement.

Managers ARE NOT allowed to give discounts according to this senior manager I spoke to.

 

mine are "Inside Sales Representative" Dell | UK Commercial Business

They seemed very happy to take my payment and never said anything about not offering a discount.

 

Disappointing it has happened to people on this board but hopefully will not happen worldwide. I am in UK and mine is still in pre-production.

 

what spec did you order vortex?

 

If you ordered early and are still in pre-production then call them, you're order was most likely set to be canceled because you received an unauthorized discount. You will have to reorder.

 

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Well they might try it on in the UKas any price advertised is simply an invitation to purchase. A seller cannot be held to a price published or advertised. Once you have agreed a price with a company representative and payment details have been taken they HAVE to honour the contracted price. Saying their people did not have authority is a weak cop out and not our problem - fire them publicly and apologise. Then hope people understand!

 

satan any word on the parts? im sure you posted last week saying u were told the parts are arriving later this week to start and build orders.

 

Ordered mines on 6/15 and its in pre-production now. I also payed via Paypal and it says the payment status is still in progress. I might as well give Dell a call and hope for the best.

 

Appreciated mate just to keep some of us in the light. Just ring and say that your order hasnt moved along and see if theres any problems with it. If this is true about the manager discount issue then alot of people are going to go stir crazy.

 

Wow, that is messed up. You would think they would honor all the orders already submitted. My order is still says pre-production. I will call later.

 

They canceled without informing you of this ?

 

If this really is the case, Alienware will loose tons of customers. This is(would be) the biggest marketing blunder ever!

 

I only had a small discount of $100 + free next business day shipping. I just checked in via chat and he assured me it was fine. He told me it was actually in production, that the website still showing it as pre-production was an error. I ordered 6/13 (in the US).

 

Wow, I got a 12% discount and I paid on 12/June/2013 and am still in pre-production.
I really hope they are not cancelling orders in the UK. The price we pay here is just extortionate; our base 18 price is $3,130 USD whereas in the US it is $2099 USD - over one thousand dollars difference in price. Absolutely stupid, without the discounts to at least make it more fair I doubt people will be 'reordering without discounts'.
And for Dell to just cancel orders, and not bother telling you until you phone up and ask what's going on is just plain lazy, although I have had a royal mess-around with Dell in the past and have come to expect nothing less from them; they really know how to waste peoples' time.

If Dell have indeed decided to cancel my order, then they have lost a customer.
And I do not think I will be the only one either.

 

Yes, and they didn't inform me until I CALLED THEM and asked about my order.

Disgusting.

I ordered again and the guy was able to give me like $150 off. I told him the reason my last order was canceled was because of an unauthorized discount and he assured me his discount would be okay.

We'll see...

Sig edited to reflect new order, spent the rest on a PS4 preorder and 2 games.

 

Is your delivery date still the same?